Monday, December 1, 2014

We pray you have had a
blessed year! Here are a few Halseth family highlights of 2014:

Rachel Roseis three and growing up
before our very eyes. Healthy,
energetic, and thriving. She loves to
laugh, and can often be heard giggling with her siblings. She looks forward to preschool two mornings a
week. She can almost swim on her own.
She enjoys playing outside, swinging, puppies, playdates, and of course
Elsa from Frozen! We appreciate her bright eyes, kind heart, and sweet spirit.

Joshuais
a big 1st grader now going to school all day for the first time. He is somewhat
philosophical for a seven year old and we are often intrigued when he speaks
his mind. He isn’t shy and can start up
a conversation with almost anyone!
Joshua was a spy for Halloween, which is also his current career
goal. He loves legos, collecting rocks
and playing soccer. He soon starts
basketball and wrestling.

Abby is a 4th grader. She enjoys volleyball, basketball and
soccer. She is a very helpful
sister. We see her giftings as she is
able to motivate and organize younger kids easily. Always our artist, this year she is into loom
bands and knitting. In Scotland, she was a face painter at VBS, and loved
seeing the sea.

Nathan is a 6th grader now with a school locker. He really enjoys changing classes each hour.
He plays saxophone. Nathan completed hunter safety, and hunted pheasant and
deer with Dad this fall. He loved
fishing - both off the pier in Scotland, as well as on a four day SD trip with
Grandpa Morse.

Mattenjoyed
another summer with his family while working with students in Scotland. He
enjoys short getaways with Jenni, or day trips with the kids - especially in
nature. He also loves­ his men’s bible study and Jr. High ministry. He is
active in sports and is coaching Nathans 6th grade basketball team! Heart
Update: We
are very thankful to report that all tests came back normal on Matt’s heart!

Jenniis more into a rhythm of
managing life as a parent of four kids :)
She has even completed a few home projects this year! She enjoyed ministry and travel with the
family in Scotland, and especially the Scottish people. She continues to enjoy biking, walking,
reading, and Mom’s bible study.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

“Let
us go back and visit the
believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how
they are doing.” – Acts 15:36

Imagine
being all alone in your Christian faith. You don’t know any Christians your age
that you can identify with. You feel
there is no one to show you REAL faith.

Then
one day a group of young passionate believers stroll into town. They want to
hang out with you, disciple you and bring you along to tell others about Christ.
Can you imagine how that would encourage
you to live out your faith in a REAL way?

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT FROM DUNOON,
SCOTLAND

Jenni: Can you tell
me a little about your faith background?

Robert: I became a Christian 2 years ago through missionaries
at a summer camp. Later on my faith
became like plastic. It just wasn’t real. I did not have anyone to look up
to. It is really tough. In our town there’s only maybe 3 or 4 Christians my age
who are living for God. We are all really struggling because we are so few.

Jenni: Can you tell me how your life has been impacted by
our Royal Servants team?

Robert: The Royal Servants have really opened up my eyes on
how to live for God. They have touched a lot of lives all around Dunoon
already. They have really shown me how
to turn my plastic faith into something real.

Jenni: How have the Royal Servants specifically encouraged
you?

Robert: They are really committed to the Bible and trusting
in the Bible. They love reading it, which I find amazing because I've never
seen that before in my life. I sat in on a Bible study group. For the first time ever I saw students that
are joyful about the Bible. It has really opened my eyes. It is not just a
boring book. It’s Jesus' word and it’s great!

Jenni: You said earlier that a few people you knew have come
to Christ. Can you tell me about that?

Robert:I was
overjoyed to hear about one friend. I
did not expect him to, but he became a Christian. I just never believed it
would happen. It is crazy because I grew up with him… but I guess God can do
great things!

Jenni: Do you have any prayer requests?

Robert: Please pray for the youth in Dunoon to find Jesus
because they are crumbling and have no one to look up to. Pray thatwith what the
Royal Servants have done, the younger Christians can build a strong connection
in the church.I also just want to
say thank you for sending the Royal Servants. They have really changed our
lives!

Wow!
It is so exciting to see God at work in receptive hearts in Scotland. We are eager to go back again! Yes, that’s right, for the summer of 2015,
our family will be returning with Matt as he leads the Royal Servants Scotland
team!

You are a vital part of our ability to follow His
calling to serve. We want to echo Roberts words, “Thank you for sending the Royal Servants.” We remain grateful for your prayers and
partnership in bringing the message of REAL faith around the world!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

In a culture where shaking hands, hugging and kissing are ways
to show love and care, not being able to do so is painful but necessary for our
Sierra Leonean friends. Currently, about five people every hour in Sierra Leone
are diagnosed with Ebola.

Over the past 5 years, Reign Ministries has had a strong ongoing
partnership with Youth for Christ in Sierra Leone. After having been to Sierra
Leone twice in 2010, my heart is grieved for our friends experiencing turmoil
and crisis in their nation.

While there, our team served alongside our friends to reach
unwanted children in the streets, the unemployed in trash filled over-crowded
slums, the hungry neglected children in under-staffed orphanages, the juvenile
delinquents in detentions centers, and the hope-filled teens of under-funded
schools. The thought of what the conditions are like now in these places is
very difficult for me to comprehend.

Yet I pray with expectation that God will answer the prayers of
his people and continue to offer his plan of salvation through the courageous
and dedicated Youth for Christ staff. Please take a moment to pray for our
friends and ask God to pour out His love and mercy on those who are currently
suffering in Sierra Leone.

“As our nation grapples with the pandemic of the Ebola virus
that has claimed hundreds of lives; we look with hope to our soon coming King!
For this reason, we remain steadfast, unmovable, always willing to expend
ourselves for the salvation and transformation of our young people. We can only
tell the full scale of the damage when this is over, this is why we are asking
our friends to stand in the gap with us for God’s intervention in our land.
Ebola is no respecter of age, status or profession; we are all at risk.”–Abu Stephen Conteh

A few weeks ago I (Matt) went into our local clinic because I
was experiencing some irregular heart beats and slight pressure in my lower
chest. My visit turned into two ambulance rides to a nearby hospital
and then to the U of MN cath lab for an emergency angiogram, which cleared me
of any heart attack. Praise God! Two days prior to the event, I ran a hilly
half marathon which could have triggered an existing irregular heartbeat
because of a shift in electrolytes and excess adrenaline in my body.

I
am currently wearing a small heart monitor and ask for prayer to find out more
answers. We are grateful for God’s protection
and for the awesome friends and family He has blessed us with. We are again
reminded how our lives are really in His hands.

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· 2015 ROYAL
SERVANTS MISSION TRIPS RELEASED!
Recently, Matt has been working with our
website services team to update the Reign Ministries website. Upon the release
of our 2015 mission teams we received over 3,200 hits to our website in the
first 12 hours! Check it out! www.royalservants.org

· COACHING NEW STAFFI (Matt) am coaching a few new Reign
Ministries staff members. Please pray for new Reign staff members Andrew
Cederleaf and Scott and Nichole Anderson, as they begin the support raising
process.

· GOD’S PEACE
I am thankful that during my heart procedure God’s peace rested on me the
entire time. The fear of death had no grip on me because my eternal destination
is secure in Jesus Christ – Praise God!!

Monday, September 1, 2014

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” -- 1 John 5:14

Tanner paused, and then prayed for Keir, “God, reveal
yourself to Keir, prove to him that Jesus is real.”

Even though 17 year old Keir was not a Christian, he enjoyed
hanging out with our team and showing us around Dunoon, a quaint seaside
Scottish town just an hour and half west of Glasgow. Many youth in the
town come from broken homes and have turned to drugs and alcohol. In
fact, the pastor we worked with said he knew of less than five or six Christian
teenagers in the entire town of 8,500 residents. We knew God had led us
to Dunoon for a reason.

Tanner Blake, a staff discipler on our team, took an interest in
reaching out to Keir. So, he invited him to join his small group of guys
discussing the Bible. Kier said, “Sure!” He even rearranged his schedule (which
meant getting up before noon) to come back each day to meet and talk about the
Bible.

Over the course of a few days, Tanner’s friendship with Keir
grew and they started having deeper conversations. Tanner learned that Keir was
heavy into hardcore drugs and alcohol. Keir admitted, “I am not happy
with the way I am living.” Tanner understood. He was able to relate
with Keir because he had also went through some of the same exact struggles
before he knew the Lord.

Tanner explained, “No matter how good the drug is or how
cool the alcohol makes you feel, there is nothing greater than experiencing
God’s love!” Tanner, sensing the presence of the Holy Spirit asked
Kier, “Can I pray with you and ask God to reveal His love to you?” Keir
nodded his head in agreement.

After praying, Keir seemed a little “out of it,” so Tanner asked
him, “Are you okay?” And Keir replied in hesitant amazement, “I lost my
legs, I feel something is here!”

In excitement Tanner said to Keir, “Dude, that is the
Holy Spirit!” They both began to weep and praise the Lord! Right
before their eyes, God answered Tanners prayer and revealed Himself to Kier.
The Lord proved to Keir that He is real, and still working in the world.

Tanner then asked Keir, “Do you want to accept Christ into your
life.” After a very vigorous head nod, Keir prayed to receive Christ
and is now walking with the Lord!

What this unforgettable experience revealed to our team is that prayer
is undeniably the most powerful blessing that the Lord has given us.It
is what gives us confidence in our God when we ask anything according to his
will—we know that He hears us! (1 John 5:14)

For Tanner and our team, saying goodbye to Keir and other
friends left behind in Dunoon was very difficult. We know that there are so few
believers to encourage them. His heart, along with ours is burdened to continue
to pray for the youth of Dunoon and those we met in Glasgow. Especially for the
few teenage believers like Keir to remain strong in the faith.

This work does not happen without you! Please pray for the Holy
Spirit to continue to be at work, revealing himself to the students we are
working with. If God is not in this we are ineffective. And if we are not
sent, they are not reached. More than ever, the need of your prayer is
undeniable!

· STUDENTS
Praise God for yet another incredible summer we had in Scotland. Continue to
pray for the impact that has been made on students lives as they live for
Christ in school this year.

· NEW
BELIEVERS
We shared Christ with many Middle Eastern Immigrants and Scottish teens. Please
pray for the Churches we served with; for effective follow-up and for
encouraging new believers.

· NEW
STAFF MEMBERS
This year Matt is helping with our Mobilization Department
to coach a number of new staff members joining Reign Ministries. Please pray
for coaching wisdom, and for these new staff raising their support!

· OUR
FAMILY
Please pray for our children as the new school year has begun (Nathan–6th
grade, Abby–4th grade, Josh–1st grade & Rachel–Preschool). Pray that we
maintain a healthy & Godly focus in our parenting.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Though church steeples dot the horizon of this once missionary sending nation, Scotland is now officially an unreached people group with less than 3% in church attendance.

“Pray all the time...Plead with him... keep
praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.”--Ephesians 6:18 (TLB)

Hey
Friends… By the time you receive this post-card we will be on our way to Scotland! Please pray for our July weeks of ministry!

· Week 6—Ministry in Glasgow

· Week 7—Ministry in
Glasgow

· Week 9—Ministry in
Dunoon

· Week 9—Debriefing in London

· Week 10—Final
Debriefing & Departure Home & REST!

There is a great
need for missions work in Scotland today. The
church in Scotland is no longer able to reach its own people with the gospel.
Pray for the effective re-evangelization of Scotland. Pray for our church
partners, for our team unity, spiritual growth, physical strength, safety in
travel, wisdom and guidance, faith and courage in sharing the good news of
Jesus, and changed lives in our outreach & service!

After traveling on last years team,
Jenni and the kids are excited to go again this year! Our kids
enjoyed participating in the Vacation Bible School last year and met some fun
Scottish friends. We stay in a very diverse community in Glasgow, and
really enjoy learning about the immigrant cultures as well. Living out of
duffle bags in Sunday
school rooms - it's all worth it when we get to see God at work!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Perfectly aligned student tents in military fashion
communicate excellence in everything we do at Training Camp! Please pray for
our students in those tents preparing for the mission field!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for
the Lord, not for human masters.” --Colossians 3:23

Hey Friends… This week Matt heads to our Missions
Training Camp for the month of June. At Training Camp, we strive for excellence
in everything we do to best glorify & honor God! Our mission teams prepare
ahead of time so when we storm the gates on the mission field, we hit the
ground running!

· Week
1—Packing & Final Prep

· Week
2—Reign Staff setting up

· Week
3—Assistant Team Leaders Training

· Week
4—Staff Disciplers Training (College-age Students)

· Week
5—Student Training (about 300 HS students)

Wow, we are so excited! Pray
for wisdom and team unity as Matt trains our Royal Servants Scotland
Team for ministry abroad. Please also pray for physical, spiritual
and emotional strength for our family as we all prepare to serve in Scotland
and England July 1—30. Lastly, pray for extra funds in order to make our
ministry possible. Thanks for your partnership through prayer and
giving to our ministry—we appreciate you!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Kaila is returning on Royal Servants for
her 6th summer and will again be reaching the unreached in Nepal.

“You did not choose
me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will
last. Then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”– John 15:16

Do you believe that
it is possible for the life of one person to be radically changed over the
course of just one summer? I do! This is one of the reasons I love serving with
Royal Servants. For if it had not been for our 2009 Ireland Royal Servants
team, Kaila Yim’s life may be totally different today!

MEET KAILA

Kaila Yim was one
of my team members who was with us that summer in Ireland. Listen to the
amazing work that God did in her life as she recalls her experiences with Royal
Servants;

“God began to show me who
He was; He painted a beautiful picture for me of His unending grace and that is
something I have never let go of. During that summer in Ireland, I sensed the
Lord leading me into full-time ministry. After a lot of praying, I applied and
was accepted to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL.

While also serving
with Royal Servants, Kaila found herself loving trekking through rice paddies
and mud through the Nepali mountains in
order to rub lotion on lepers' hands and feet. Their outreach touched the
hearts of the unreached Nepali people with the Gospel of Christ. Her summer in Israel further convinced her of
God’s calling.

“As God began to break
off pieces of my old self that couldn’t be in my life anymore, I began to
desire nothing but Him, His work, and His Kingdom… I would not be where or who
I am today if God did not give me the opportunity to go on mission trips with
Royal Servants.”

This spring Kaila
graduates from Moody Bible Institute. God has led her to join full-time staff
with Reign Ministries. This will be her 6th Royal Servants summer reaching the
world for Christ. Kaila’s journey reminds us how God continues to appoint His
people to go forth and bear fruit in the lives of others around the world.

Jenni and I are
thrilled to be part of that yet another summer! In just a couple weeks, I’ll be
heading out to serve at our missions training camp for the month of June. Jenni
and our four children will again be traveling with me and our mission team for
the whole month of July as we share the love of Christ in Scotland. We’ll partner with the same church we served
in last year as we reach out to the Asian immigrant community of Glasgow.

We look forward to
how God will once again provide for us as we continue to empower and send out
students like Kaila to reach the world. Thank you for your part!

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Elizabeth has served on three Royal Servants Mission trips, including this past summer.

Elizabeth has served on three Royal Servants Mission Trips. This includes last summer where she served as our family nanny in Scotland. Recently she shared with the Reign Ministries staff how her Royal Servants Mission Trips have impacted her life. Here is what she had to say;

Hello Reign Staff!
Thank you so much for your work with Royal Servants and all of the other ways you minister throughout the rest of the year! I am a Royal Servant alumni, and to this day I still use lessons I learned from my summers with Royal Servants.

My first trip was to Ireland in ’08 and it was led by Matt Halseth. From the first day at Training Camp until I came home, I learned who I am in Christ and that He has equipped me to do His will.

The next summer I was invited to go on the Nehemiah team (Alumni Leadership Team) led by Louie Inks. Thank you Louie for your incredible leadership! That summer, I learned the meaning of worship, leadership, and servant-hood. I learned more about the Bible than I ever had. Even after those two summers there have been multiple times that I've been able to use the lessons that I have learned on my summers as a student.

Since my Royal Servants Trips, Galatians 2:20 has now become my life verse:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” —Gal. 2:20

So again, thank you for teaching and training youth and young adults to be true servants of Christ!! -Elizabeth

We feel privileged to be part of the lives of students like Elizabeth. Through stories like these we are again reminded of the importance of this work. Thank you for the part you have to make it happen! We pray for God’s richest blessings for you!

Last month Jenni and I organized a winter retreat for the 3rd-6th graders in our local church—Northbrook Fellowship. We feel it is crucial for even younger children to have times away with their peers. This helps establish deeper Christian friendships, as well as being challenged to live their lives for Christ. The 25 participants all had an amazing time and came away challenged by the retreat theme of “Gratitude.” The only complaint was that the retreat was too short as everyone had MEGA-FUN!!

·2014 ROYAL SERVANTS MISSION TRIP BROCHURE—
Matt has completed the new 2014 Royal Servants brochure. The brochure will go out to thousands of students across our nation as our staff are actively out recruiting students for next summers mission trips. If you know a teenager or college student who is interested in a mission trip this summer, please direct them to us if they have questions!

·RECRUITING STUDENTS—We are seeking students to join our 2014 mission teams by sharing in churches and through our website. Please pray for Matt as he is speaking in churches and recruiting students these months.

·THANK YOU—
We were blessed by those who contributed towards our 2013 year-end short-fall in medical and office expenses. God provided for many of our year-end needs. Thank you for your generosity!